A freak storm came through the Mid-Atlantic about 11:00 p.m. Friday, June 29. The main part of the storm lasted 45 minutes, uprooting trees and downing power lines. More than 1 million residents lost power in the corridor from Baltimore southwest to Northern Virginia. Some are still without power.
Owing to the fact that all news is local, here’s the take from our little part of the world in the past week.
Some interesting things happen when you go through something like we have in the past week.
For some, it’s a bonding experience. I’ve suffered the way you have, and that connects us (PWDs understand this, yes?). Others feel that the way to bond is to tell us how tragic their story is; making their story sound worse than yours helps them feel more important. That bothers some people. But I understand that… it’s human nature.
Some people escape. Neighborhood’s a wreck? No power? Let’s find a hotel room, or go to our vacation home. Tweet when it’s over, bro.
Still others stick it out. Through thick and thin, hot and cold, wind and rain, they are there helping others where they can, and hunkering down when necessary. Not always nice– equal parts cranky and sweet, persistent and persnickety, every neighborhood needs these helpful, faithful residents.
And then there are the rocks. The ones who never talk about themselves but always find time to ask how you’re doing, if you need help with something, if they can pick up anything for you at the store. I try to share that kind of compassion, but I have to admit that sometimes my efforts come up a bit short.
Just some observations from connecting with my neighbors again this past week. Not a point to any of this, really. Except to say that I feel closer to my neighbors after everything we’ve been through. While I would like to get away to the mountains, I chose to stay. And although it’s trying at times, I try to help with a kind word, or an invite to the “Let’s grill all the meat in the freezer before it spoils” barbecue. Most of all, I’m so happy that everyone is safe. Nothing more important than that.
All of these photos were taken by The Great Spousal Unit or myself, and are within two small blocks of our home.
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